When underconsumption core meets my new year’s minimalism goals, it’s time to make a list!
You know that I’m a person who is gently grasping at my minimalism goals. Do I still love cozy blankets and warm sweatpants? Yes. Will I still gaze longingly at specific pairs of shoes or sliders that will allow me to convert our annoying kitchen cabinets into drawers? Yes. But over the years, I have worked harder to be more mindful of what I buy.
Cheap plastic novelty stuff that will break in a month no longer brings me joy or makes it into the cart. Even if it is cute. And costs $1.99. Why? The environmental cost of producing stuff is too high. Why use those resources for something designed to be replaced as soon as possible and really isn’t necessary? I’m also cutting back on services that seem to draw too much cash away from my wallet (and businesses) just for the sake of convenience.
With that question in mind, I’m saying “Hello!” to 2025 with a goal of mindful minimalism.
Here are the 25 things I will not be buying (or buying less of) in 2025.
Food Delivery Services
Have you seen the markup that gets attached to food orders? We are lucky to live in a restaurant-heavy area. When I’m feeling well enough, we can walk to a lot of places. There is no good reason for me to add, in some cases, another $20 to get a burrito delivered or groceries put together when I’m feeling healthy and time allows. I won’t say I’ll drop out of all the services, but it has to stop being a go-to. And if I do use it, I’ll try to stick with an app like Toast that does not charge the restaurant commission fees. No shade if the food apps are a big win for you. You have to do what works for your life. But in 2025, reducing food delivery fees/app usage is one of my minimalism goals.
Organization Bins
Our old apartment had a linen closet that allowed us to store everything from heavy blankets to extra pillowcases. We had a couple of extra-large coat and storage closets. Fast forward to 2024/25. We downsized into a cottage. We no longer have a separate linen closet. What we do have is a ton of organizational bins that are sitting empty on the highest shelves, which I cannot reach without a ladder. The cloth bins that used to fit on closet shelves are too deep and precariously hang over the space.
I could swap out my bins for ones measured for our current space. But do I need to store or clean all of this stuff that is now hiding under our bed or piled in the closet? That seems like a lot of energy (mental and literal energy). So, in 2025, instead of adding organization bins, I’m likely just to get rid of stuff.
Plastic Organization Kitchen Bins
Similarly, when we lived in our apartment, we had a lot of shelves in the kitchen that were very tall and perfect for storage. This allowed us to store more things and decant a lot of groceries into air-tight containers. In some cases, that meant we could use ingredients for longer. This was a big win during the early Covid years. But we also noticed that as time passed, we bought in bulk, and things still went bad before we used them.
Like all of our other storage, our kitchen storage has changed. We have plenty of cabinets, but most of those plastic organization kitchen bins do not fit into our current cabinets or refrigerator – so much plastic.
We also have quite a few glass jars. Some have lids. Some don’t. Am I going to start canning? A part of me finds that appealing, but a bigger part knows that this will not happen. So, I’m not buying plastic kitchen bins in 2025. Our drinks and produce can just mingle wildly in the refrigerator. The one exception to this rule might be flour storage, but I will need to do some research first.
Water Bottles
I will not be buying individual plastic water bottles in 2025. We rarely purchase soda, but we do occasionally buy Gatorade. I’d like to cut out both in 2025, but I will start with water. We already have a filtered pitcher, and once we get the refrigerator lines cleaned, we’ll also have filtered water there.
Reusable Bottles – Hydration Bottles
We have an entire shelf of reusable water bottles. We get them as gifts at events. We get them as gifts from companies. We bought some ourselves. They appear to be like Gremlins. Someone got them wet, and they multiplied. I don’t care what color they come out with in 2025; I’m not buying any more reusable water bottles.
No Dryer Sheets
I like lavender-scented dryer sheets. I don’t know if they make me calmer, but I like the scent. However, I’m horrified at how much potential damage can be done to the environment, my health (already tenuous), and the air. We live close together in my area. Do my neighbors need to breathe in my lavender dryer sheets, and risk increased asthma impacts? Some are chemical-free, and if you love the scents, I’d urge you to go in that direction. For me, I think I’d like to try to grow lavender (inside or outside) and put little sachets together. Does that sound too TradWife or Grandma Core? Super don’t care. Grandma was onto something!
Liquid Detergent
I’m not buying liquid detergent bottles in 2025. Not only are these huge plastic jugs a pain to store but why do I need that much single-use plastic just to wash clothing? So, in 2025, I’m looking into cruelty-free, biodegradable laundry sheets and bars/balls. Most of the ones that seem interesting to me are plant-based. However, many of them still have polymer wrappings, so it will take some more research to truly get rid of petroleum-based elements. Currently, KIND looks intriguing (not an ad, just a direction for future reading). Will they be negatively impacted by future tariffs? Ugh. Let’s hope not.
No Clothing from Temu, Shein, or Amazon
I’ve been trying to eliminate the Temu and Shein clothing ads on this site for ages (I’m working on it). I don’t support the business practices. Not only does the clothing contain a high level of toxins, but the quality is so low that they seem only to exist so influencers can hold up a bunch of clothes for their “haul” videos and then toss them because they will not last. While many reputable companies sell through Amazon, I’m also done trying to navigate things without trying them on or feeling the fabric. That “Buy Now” button will not tempt me in 2025. I’d rather go directly to the stores or the store websites where there seems to be more quality control.
No More Sweaters
Good God, I have a lot of sweaters. I’m not a big shopper, but I care for my sweaters. I try to buy quality. I don’t often shop trends. I’m learning to repair sweaters. This means that I have a lot of sweaters. While it is colder near the coast, I live in Southern California. Enough. I’m not buying sweaters in 2025.
No More Jackets, Winter Gear, Spring Gear
Same. There are only so many jackets or gear required in SoCal. My one purchase in 2024 was a high-visibility jacket for our early evening walks because walking while wearing all black felt dangerous. I want to add more reflective patches to the back, but I don’t need to buy all new gear in 2025.
No Hard Waistbands
This one is a gimme. Didn’t we all learn this during Covid? Why do I need binding clothing to sit at a desk and type? I’m looking at you people who forced workers to return to the office and buy expensive business wear.
High-Waisted Pants, Skirts, Shorts, etc.
I don’t care if it is on trend. I am short-waisted. High-waisted clothing comes above my belly button and looks ridiculous when I sit down. Seriously, it’s basically like buying empire-waist pants. Did I mention how uncomfortable that is? I hated this trend when it re-emerged, and I’m voting no in 2025.
Trendy Clothes
Same. Classic clothing will last longer. Essentials will fit into any core wardrobe. Classics fit with my minimalism goals. I’m okay with not being as gorgeous and incredible as Jennifer Lopez. I know burgundy boots were a thing this year. I have burgundy boots. I bought them the last time they were trendy. Have I ever worn them? No. I look at them, and I love them. But I don’t have occasion to wear them, and I’m seriously considering selling them on Poshmark.
No New Streaming Services
I’m not buying into any new streaming services in 2025. The one exception to this rule might be if some of them combine into a new entity. However, I’m not buying into it if it’s just another one with a different library. My goal this year is to apply minimalism goals to streaming. This is tougher than it might seem – my husband and I love film and television. It is our main form of entertainment. But enough is enough. Once the Oscars are over, we will get back down to basics.
No Bulk Buying
I added “no bulk buying” to this list without considering how tariffs might impact it. We don’t have a Costco or other warehouse membership. We’ve discussed it, and we have made a plan not to buy a membership in 2025.
Generally, we do not have space to store bulk buys. Unless we break into the unfinished attic, bulk buying paper goods doesn’t make sense. All of our spaces will feel cluttered. However, if there are items that can be frozen or successfully stored that will help us hedge against the tariffs, we may have to alter this entry. Stay tuned on that one.
Veggies We Can Easily Grow at Home
We have two AeroGardens for indoor growing (they aren’t going out of business after all!). We have a small garden in the front. We plan to convert our backyard to a more flexible entertaining/growing space. While there are many veggies that we can’t grow, we are going to stop buying veggies that we can easily grow at home from big grocery stores. Why? Between the recalls and the huge damp bags that get the spinach slimy before its time, it doesn’t seem worth it. So, we are going to make a plan to cut/harvest and grow where we can.
Avocados
We love avocados. Imported avocados may become too expensive to be worth it if the tariffs get slammed on them. We are lucky enough to live in a favorable climate for growing avocado trees. It’s time to put one in and see how we do. So, no buying avocados in 2025 once the tree starts fruiting (we already have a maturing dwarf tree to get things started).
Tea Bags
Andy has already gotten a jump on the “not buying tea bags in 2025” part of our minimalism game. He buys tea in bulk from an Indian grocery and uses an infuser. The result is better tea and, rumor has it, fewer microplastics being released into the body. Is it really healthier? I will keep reading the studies, but it certainly feels environmentally friendlier not to dump nylon bags into landfills every day. Win!
Vases
We have so many vases. So. So. So many vases. We will not be buying vases in 2025. We will be trying to use the ones we have, though. Our minimalism goals for the year include putting things we love to use and not just storing them.
No More Purses
Why do I buy purses? I don’t use them. I used a very groovy backpack that my mother got me years ago. I switched to a tote during the summer. I have a dress clutch for formal evenings out. I’m pretty sure I have two other beautiful bags I am afraid to scratch, so I don’t use them. My goal in 2025 is to use the bags I have.
Less Social Media
Is social media making anyone’s life better anymore? If you got in early and developed a truly engaged community, I can see it being a good thing. But social media is just exhausting. Also, businesses, if you don’t have a website, I’m not buying from your social accounts, particularly TikTok.
Health or Beauty Products from Amazon
In 2019, a documentary (“Broken”) was released about all of the counterfeit cosmetics being sold through Amazon. You would have thought that was enough to stop people from buying health, wellness, and beauty products there, but apparently business is booming. People want products for as little money as possible. Companies want to ship out as many products as possible for as big a profit as possible. This is not the way to stay healthy. I’m re-committing to only buying health or beauty products from the manufacturers/companies in 2025.
High-End Dresses and Event Dresses
I rarely have a reason to buy a gown. The last one I purchased was my wedding dress. But I recently was presented with an opportunity to go to an event that required “Black Tie” attire, and it got me shopping. Luckily, before I bought something that would also need to be fitted and tailored, I stopped myself. Spending that kind of money for an awards dinner or New Year’s Event doesn’t make sense unless it becomes part of my job. Instead of buying high-end dresses (or gowns), I will try places like Rent-the-Runway. Many of you have been on that kick for years, and I am cheering you on.
Single-Use Holiday Décor
I am not buying single-use holiday decorations in 2025. This isn’t just the minimalism game. We seek ways to keep our clutter down, our storage needs few, and to live more sustainably. For Christmas, we got a rosemary bush that we can plant in a container in the yard when the holidays are over and a poinsettia plant that we can (hopefully) keep going for years. Andy was able to keep one of our plants alive and re-blooming for five years, so there’s a chance it will actually happen. Again, no shade if you find joy in getting new things to make your holidays bright. I love that for you. I just don’t love it for us.
Less Plastic
I’d love to say I won’t buy plastic items in 2025. That’s not realistic, no matter how strong my minimalism game is. Where I can, I will be switching to zero packaging or glass, but plastic will still be part of our lives. In some cases, it may even be safer or better for our needs. However, I want to be more mindful of the amount of plastic that arrives here.
Those are my minimalism game goals for 2025. Can I hit the goals? Fingers crossed!! How about you? What are you not buying in 2025?